Today, Dreamland Adventure, a pantomime for 2 to 7 year
olds, began its five-day residence at the Blakehay Theatre in Wadham Street,
Weston-super-Mare.
The buzz could be felt all over the Theatre: the festive Brandon
Trust-run café serving drinks and snacks, the Blakehay staff dressed in nightwear
in honour of the show, while mums, dads, grandmothers and children got arty in
the upstairs' studio. The kids made some
fabulous pictures to adorn the stage, using a wide range of materials and very
little instruction – it’s amazing to see how imaginations go into full swing
when we’re given reign to do nothing else but create!
After two hours of non-stop making, we headed to the
auditorium for the 2pm showing of Dreamland Adventure, an interactive and
well-thought out show by The Big Act, a Bristol-based theatre production and
training company. Elf Number 1 has to
find his way back to the North Pole to get our presents ready or else Christmas will be
cancelled and we, the boys and girls, have to help him, shouting, screaming,
waving, clapping and singing our way through his myriad adventures.
Elf Number 1, gleefully played by Martin Williams, gets the whole
audience going as they squeal with delight, joining him on his travels. And on-stage he is accompanied by one of two
Weston schoolgirls, Courtnei Danks and Nina Halper.
Today, Courtnei was our young actress, who played the part with gusto
and professionalism, showing us her dance moves and acting abilities, an inspiration
to all young spectators.
Holly Sands is fun in her role of jungle native, pirate, sea
creature and Elf Number Two, an actress with a sweet, strong singing voice and
a command of the stage, particularly in her pirate role, when she invites us all to
be her crew.
The show is fast-paced and short enough to hold the
attention of even the youngest theatre goer.
The set is simple but effective and the projected images convincing and
easy to understand. There is also snow
and a visit from a very special person, as Elf Number 1 finally finds his way
home!
Dreamland Adventure is showing until Saturday 24th
December and Weston-super-Mum will be running free art workshops every day from
12 till 2pm. The kids are welcome to
take their pieces home or leave them on the stage for everyone to enjoy and add
to.
Recommended!
Buy
tickets for Dreamland Adventure here or at the Blakehay Theatre Box Office.
The Big Act's website
- by Becky
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